STATE SENATE ENACTS WORKFORCE BILL
Maine’s first-of-its-kind skills gap solution moves closer to law AUGUSTA—The Maine Senate enacted a first-of-its-kind measure addressing the skills gap and workforce training. “There is no better example of what can happen when we work together for the betterment of this state,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland who is also the...
SENATE REJECTS GOP’S ATTEMPT TO DELAY AND DENY PAYMENT TO MAINE’S HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE FOR 70,000 MAINERS
Dems reaffirm commitment to reducing healthcare costs for people and hospitals AUGUSTA—Today in party line votes of 20 -15, the Senate rejected delay tactics and amendments to yesterday’s historic measure preserving the acceptance of federal funds to expand healthcare coverage for nearly 70,000 Mainers, and the repayment to Maine’s hospitals. “The time to accept this...
MAINE SENATE GIVES INITIAL APPROVAL TO SEND EARLY VOTING TO THE PEOPLE
Measure encourages greater voter participation AUGUSTA—This morning, the Maine Senate voted 24-11, largely along party lines, to allow the people of Maine to vote on expanding early voting. “We should all be in support of any action that allows people greater access to vote,” said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall, D-Richmond. “But, even if you...
SENATE PASSES HISTORIC MEASURE TO EXPAND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE AND REPAY HOSPITALS
Dems say the plan saves lives and saves money AUGUSTA—Today in a 20-15 vote, the Senate passed an historic measure to repay Maine’s hospital debt and accept federal funds to expand healthcare coverage for nearly 70,000 Mainers. “The time for delaying and denying healthcare to thousands of Maine people has passed. The time for...
Measure to Expand Early Education in Maine Receives Robust Support
Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall promotes universal voluntary Pre-K in schools across Maine AUGUSTA– A bill to expand early childhood education to every school district in Maine was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall (D-Richmond) earlier today in front of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. “Early childhood education is one of those...
FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND WORKFORCE BILL GAINS INITIAL APPROVAL FROM MAINE SENATE
AUGUSTA—The Senate gave initial approval to Maine’s first-of-its-kind workforce measure addressing the skills gap and workforce training. LD 90, ”An Act To Strengthen Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future,” is an omnibus piece of legislation that renews the partnership between government, education, workers, and businesses, and addresses the specific factors contributing to the skills gap. “By passing this...
Weekly Radio Address: Senator Goodall says, “Putting Mainers back to work and helping businesses grow is a shared priority”
Weekly Radio Address: Senator Goodall Last year, more than 4,000 Mainers were turned away from Maine’s community colleges. More than 200,000 Mainers started college but left before they completed their degree. And, within a decade, 4,000 jobs could go unfilled if Mainers aren’t trained in high-demand fields like information technology and precision...
Maine’s Legislative Council approves $30,000 to help victims of Lewiston fires
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/05/09/news/state/maines-legislative-council-approves-30000-to-help-victims-of-lewiston-fires/ AUGUSTA, Maine — The 10-member Legislative Council voted unanimously Thursday to send the City of Lewiston $30,000 to help some of the 200 people left homeless by three downtown fires last week. The council, which includes the minority and majority leaders in both the House and Senate as well as the Speaker of the...
ECONOMIC LEADERS APPLAUD FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND WORKFORCE BILL
“Hats off” to Maine’s Workforce Committee for bipartisan collaboration AUGUSTA—Business, education, and labor leaders gathered today to celebrate with lawmakers a first-of-its-kind measure addressing the skills gap and workforce training. “This measure is good for Maine’s economy and businesses,” said Dana Connors, the President of the Maine State Chamber. “This effort is so...
SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSES MEASURE AIMED AT GROWING MAINE’S DOWNTOWNS
Bill to invest in Maine’s downtowns AUGUSTA—Earlier this morning, the Senate passed a measure to strengthen and grow Maine’s downtowns and Main Streets by a vote of 34-1. “Our downtowns are key components of our economy, our way of life, and our community,” said Senator Seth Goodall of Richmond, the sponsor of the measure....
MAINE’S WORKFORCE PANEL PASSES COMPREHENSIVE MEASURE ADDRESSING MAINE’S SKILLS GAP AND WORKFORCE CHALLENGES
First of its kind legislation gets green-light AUGUSTA—The Legislature’s Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future unanimously passed a comprehensive measure addressing Maine’s skills gap and workforce challenges. LD 90, “An Act To Strengthen Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future,” is an omnibus piece of legislation that renews the partnership between government, education,...
LAWMAKERS WEIGH MEASURE TO PROTECT KIDS AND PREGNANT MOMS FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS
AUGUSTA—A measure that will remove harmful chemicals from household products such as toys and food is having its first public hearing before the Environment and Natural Resource Committee today. The bill’s sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall (D-Richmond) will appear before the committee to introduce “An Act to Further Strengthen the Protection of Pregnant Women and Children...
